Midfield set to install second red-light traffic camera

Another traffic light camera, like this one at Woodward Road and B.Y. Williams Sr. Drive in Midfield, will be operational by May 1 at the intersection of the Bessemer Super Highway and B.Y. Williams Sr. Drive. (The Birmingham News/Joe Songer)

MIDFIELD, Alabama -- The Alabama Department of Transportation has given the city of Midfield permission to install a red-light traffic camera at Bessemer Super Highway and B.Y. Williams Sr. Drive, one of the county's busiest intersections.

The camera is expected to be operational by May 1.

The city needed state approval to install the camera because the Bessemer Super Highway is a state road.

The camera at that intersection will be the second red-light camera in the city of Midfield. The first one was installed earlier this year at the intersection of B.Y. Williams and Woodward Road and has been in operation since March 1.

Midfield Mayor Gary Richardson said the camera at Woodward Road has recorded at least 1,500 confirmed incidents of drivers either running the red light or failing to make a stop at the light.

Drivers were given a 30-day grace period before the Woodward Road camera went into operation and police Chief Frank Belcher said the city will give drivers a 30-day grace period at the Bessemer Super Highway intersection as well.

The two intersections are well-traveled roads leading from Fairfield, through Midfield and into southwest neighborhoods of Birmingham.

The state Legislature last year voted to allow Midfield's use of the cameras in traffic enforcement. Midfield is one of two Jefferson County cities that received such legislative approval last year. The other is Center Point.

However, other municipalities, such as Vestavia Hills and Fairfield, have expressed an interest in using the cameras.

Supporters of the red-light cameras claim their presence makes the roadways safer and frees up police resources for other areas of law enforcement. Opponents argue the cameras are being used by municipalities to generate additional revenue.

Drivers caught running red lights in Midfield pay a $100 civil fine, which is mailed to their homes. Only a portion of the fine comes to the city, Richardson said. The city gets $42.50 for each of the first 100 citations issued each month in Midfield, then $70 for each citation issued beyond that.

Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions installed the cameras and receives $47.50 for each of the first 100 citations issued each month in Midfield, and $20 per citation beyond that. The Alabama Criminal Justice Center receives $10 from each ticket.

Richardson said drivers are already paying the fines for running the light, but the city does not have an analysis yet on how much if any extra revenue it will reap from the cameras.

"We don't have a sense of that right now," he said. "But it's amazing that you tell people and warn them of the red light cameras, and people are still reckless and disregard public safety."